Are the H2O molecules are too large to pass between the phospholipids while the molecules of CO2 and O2 are not?

1 Answer
Feb 24, 2018

I wouldn't call a water molecule large in relation to #CO_2# and #O_2#.

I would call them polar, though,

![Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 5E. Lehninger, et http://alia.](https://useruploads.socratic.org/2j1Aq42SeyQu3YCQ2liw_Screen%2BShot%2B2018-02-23%2Bat%2B7.46.23%2BPM.png)

The polarity of these molecules makes it very hard to pass through the largely hydrophobic interior of the phospholipid bilayer,

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